30.04.2026 15:56
In Ağrı, a 72-year-old man fell while going to Friday prayers, resulting in a small wound on his knee. Initially disregarding the injury, the elderly man's condition worsened within hours. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with 'flesh-eating bacteria', and it was also found that he had developed organ failure. The doctor said, 'We took our patient into emergency surgery. Although rare, it is a fatal disease.'
72-year-old Muhlis Budak, living in Ağrı, fell on his way to Friday prayers and injured his knee. While he experienced no issues during the day, by the evening a rapid swelling, redness, and discoloration developed in Budak's leg.
HIS CONDITION WORSENED WITHIN HOURS As his condition deteriorated, his family took Budak to Ağrı Training and Research Hospital. After emergency room examinations, he was placed under critical evaluation. The examination also revealed that Budak had an infection along with organ failure.
DIAGNOSED WITH "FLESH-EATING BACTERIA" Plastic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Abdullah Dinçgözoğlu, after an examination late at night, diagnosed the patient with necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria." Stating that the disease progresses very rapidly and that every hour is critical, Dinçgözoğlu decided on immediate surgery. Budak was taken into surgery around 2:00 AM, where tissues damaged by the infection were cleaned.
"THE RISK OF DEATH WAS HIGH IF DELAYED" Plastic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Abdullah Dinçgözoğlu emphasized that this disease, commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria," is very rare and deadly. He said, "Our 72-year-old patient presented with a wound caused by a fall. His general condition deteriorated quickly. Swelling, redness, and discoloration developed in the leg. Following our evaluation, we diagnosed necrotizing fasciitis, known as flesh-eating bacteria. Because this disease progresses very rapidly, time is extremely critical. We took our patient into emergency surgery late at night and cleaned the dead tissue affected by the infection. After surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy, we are observing a regression in signs of infection and organ failure. Although rare, it is a highly fatal disease. Initial symptoms include severe pain, redness, and discoloration. In such cases, home intervention should be avoided, and a healthcare facility should be consulted without delay."
"EVEN SMALL WOUNDS SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED" Noting that this very rare disease occurs in about 4-5 cases per 100,000 people in the literature, Dinçgözoğlu highlighted that the mortality rate can range from 25% to 75% in severe cases. Stressing that the risk is especially higher in elderly individuals and those with chronic diseases, Dinçgözoğlu stated that even small wounds should not be neglected.
"HIS CONDITION RAPIDLY DETERIORATED" Muhlis Budak's son, Hakan Budak, who learned that his father had both a deadly infection and organ failure after a simple fall, said, "My father fell while going to Friday prayers. A small wound formed below his knee. At first, we thought it was minor; we took him to the hospital in Taşlıçay, and they gave him a cream. However, by evening, the condition of his leg rapidly worsened. So we immediately brought him to the hospital in Ağrı. All tests were done in the emergency room. When it was understood that his condition was serious, he was taken into surgery late at night. The doctors told us that tissue decay had occurred. My father had high blood pressure and a heart condition, but he didn't have organ failure before. We learned that it developed during this process. Our doctors and healthcare staff took very good care of us. We are constantly receiving updates. His condition is currently improving. It's a difficult process, but we hope he will overcome it."